(Photo Steve Rodriguez/ASU Athletics)
The 2014 Maroon and Gold scrimmage was a thriller, as Katie Hempen hit a 28-footer in to tie the game in spectacular fashion at the buzzer.
A crazy series of back and forth go-ahead buckets, included newcomer Peace Amukamara going coast-to-coast for a lay-up plus the foul with just under three seconds left in the game to give Maroon the three point lead. A tipped full court pass led to the Gold team inbounding the ball with one second remaining on the game clock. Shooting behind the wall of a double screen, Hempen received the pass from the inbounder and threw up a shot from about five feet beyond the three point line and over the outstretched arm of her defender and got nothing but the bottom of the net.
Hempen, who was second on the team in three-pointers made last season (44), looked to pull the trigger from the opening buzzer, but never really got any decent chances until that final shot, but she made it count, tying the game at 30.
Throughout the scrimmage, both Promise Amukamara and new addition Peace asserted themselves on both ends of the court. The two guards displayed blazing quickness and although they weren’t wearing the same jersey, the Amukamara sisters’ games were eerily similar.
Promise Amukamara got out in transition almost at will throughout the game, racking up fast break points while also displaying the defensive prowess she has been known for over the last few seasons.
Just like Promise, Peace looked fast getting out in transition and was all over the court on defense, coming up with multiple steals. It will be interesting to see if Coach Charli Turner Thorne will have her in the starting lineup over the equally speedy Elisha Davis on opening night.
Sophomore forward Sophie Brunner stood out as she pulled down multiple rebounds for the Gold team, asserting herself following a pair of travel calls early on. Center Quinn Dornstauder hit the boards hard providing a consistent interior presence for the Maroon team.
Sophomore forward Kelsey Moos, a returning starter, struggled for the Gold squad. Over the offseason Turner Thorne has experimented with playing Moos on the perimeter and for the most part the Sophomore played outside and couldn’t get anything to drop.
After a slow start in which she missed her first four shots, Arnecia Hawkins scored in bunches for the Maroon team, including a clutch shot with 23 seconds to go.
All three of Arizona State’s freshmen remained relatively quiet, but expect to see great displays of physicality from nationally ranked recruit Ayanna Edwards as the season goes on.
Following the game, Turner Thorne was asked if she thinks the team is ready for the season opener, to which she responded, “We will be.”
The Sun Devils open up the season a week from tonight, Friday, November 14th at 7:00 ET against a formidable Middle Tennessee State squad that won 29 games last year.
